The PGA Tour heads to Torrey Pines for the Famers Insurance Open.
The latest: Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele remain sidelined with injuries, leaving the field wide open. I’m backing two California natives — Will Zalatoris and Max Homa — alongside Englishman Aaron Rai.
Check out our Farmers Insurance Open picks for the tournament beginning on Jan. 22.
Farmers Insurance Open picks
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Best bet: Zalatoris to win (+2,200) & top-20 finish (+100)
I believe Zalatoris is primed for a big year and this seems like a good place to start.
- Zalatoris finished T13 at the Farmers Insurance Open last year and lost in a playoff to Luke List in 2022.
- He ranks second in the field for average strokes gained at Torrey Pines South (+1.74 — min. 5 rounds), according to Data Golf.
- Strong driving is a pre-requisite at Torrey Pines and Zalatoris has gained strokes off-the-tee in eight straight starts.
Zalatoris had his 2023 season derailed with a back injury and never quite looked right in 2024 but I’m not worried about his health.
That’s because the 28-year-old’s recent results are encouraging. He’s made the cut at six straight events, finishing inside the top 20 four times.
Zalatoris tends to perform in the toughest conditions and Torrey Pines plays to an average of 1.13 shots over par. That’s the second-highest of any PGA Tour course.
Key stat: Zalatoris has gained over a stroke to the field in four of his last six starts.
Quick picks
Homa to win (+3,000) & top-20 finish (+150): Homa is coming off an awful season but I’m looking to buy low.
Four of Homa’s six PGA Tour wins have come in California, including one at this tournament in 2023. On top of that win, he finished T13 here last year and T9 in 2020.
The Burbank native is hitting the ball well right now, picking up strokes off-the-tee and on approach in consecutive starts.
Homa’s putter has let him down in that stretch but I’m hoping a familiar venue will help get the ball rolling.
Rai to win (+5,500) top-20 finish (+188): Asking Rai — who doesn’t hit the ball very far — to win might be a lot. Still, I’m happy to take a flier on him and am very bullish on these top-20 odds.
The Englishman had a stellar 2024, picking up a win at the Wyndham Championship to go along with 11 additional top 20s.
He’s extremely accurate off-the-tee, which will help him avoid the penal rough at Torrey Pines, and a solid iron player.
Rai finished T6 at this event in 2022 and could contend if the putter gets hot.
Golf picks made at 3:12 p.m. on 01/21/2025.
Avery joined NorthStar Gaming as an intern in 2022 before stepping into a full-time role soon after. He loves betting on and analyzing golf — mainly because it’s easier than actually playing — but is a fan of all sports, from the NFL to the UFC.